The Tiny News Collective is grateful to announce that the Collective has received $250,000 from the Patrick J. McGovern Foundation to support building a metrics initiative to serve local news publishers in 2024.

For new and early-stage local news organizations, the challenge of what metrics to measure and the labor of collecting and analyzing data is a significant task. To overcome this obstacle, the Collective is building out a data and metrics program to support local news founders and inform the local news support ecosystem.

A key aspect of our work is connecting founders with mission-critical data and metrics to help them make informed business decisions so they can use their limited time and resources in the best possible way. 

At the same time, our close relationship with our growing membership makes us uniquely positioned to collect in-depth quantitative and qualitative insight about local news startups across the country. Better data supports TNC’s ability to serve our members more effectively but also promises broader insights about how startup local news organizations survive and thrive. The data we collect  will help journalism support organizations better structure their support by more easily identifying opportunities for interventions and boosters. 

“With this new program, we will build frameworks, tools and guidance for consistent, accurate and real-time data inside of local news operations and insights from across the membership of the Collective,” said Amy L. Kovac-Ashley, executive director. “We seek not only to help founders make data-driven business decisions but also to identify common trends in local news startups that can help the broader ecosystem of journalism support organizations more effectively use our resources.”

The Patrick J. McGovern Foundation (PJMF) is a philanthropic organization dedicated to advancing artificial intelligence and data science solutions to create a thriving, equitable and sustainable future for all. PJMF works in partnership with public, private and social institutions to drive progress on our most pressing challenges, including digital health, climate change, broad digital access and data maturity in the social sector.

“At the Patrick J. McGovern Foundation, we believe that everyone, everywhere should have access to data-driven, high-quality news and journalism,” said Patrick J. McGovern President Vilas Dhar. “This means local news entrepreneurs need access to the best available data and cutting-edge technology to know and grow their audience and compete in the ever-evolving media landscape. In partnering with Tiny News Collective, we’re committing to driving news accessibility and availability in communities around the world.”

This program will launch later in 2024.

The Tiny News Collective believes a world where everyone can participate in creating relevant, accurate and culturally conscious local news and information is one where everyone can more fully engage in civic life, make more informed decisions, and better understand the world around them.